Dogs make great pets. They can bring you comfort and love and make a nice addition to any family. They need care and love too just as any other living creature. Dogs need food, water, and other care as well in order to survive and live a long life with you and your family. Read on for some tips and information to know what can help you care for your dog.

1. Make A Veterinarian Appointment

When you first bring your new furry pal home with you, the first thing you need to do is to make an appointment with a veterinarian to have your dog or puppy checked out and given any shots or medical attention necessary. Your dog is going to need shots yearly and other medications that can help prevent issues such as heartworms, and Lyme disease caused by tick bites. Make a veterinary appointment for your dog and be sure to keep up with these appointments each year. If your dog has issues throughout the year, you are going to need to make appointments in between this time as well.

2. Give Your Dog A Proper Diet

You need to feed your dog a proper diet and give it food made for canines, do not feed your dog table food or scraps, which can irritate the stomach or cause other issues for your dog, including weight gain. Give your dog the right type of food depending on the stage of life your dog is in. If your dog is a puppy, it will need puppy food. If your dog is an adult dog, it will need adult food, and if your dog is an aging dog, it is going to need food for an aging canine. If you aren't sure what type of food to give your dog, you need to discuss this with the veterinarian.

3. Exercise Your Dog

Your pet is going to need plenty of exercise in order to stay healthy and prevent issues with weight gain, which can be tough on their joints. Take your dog for walks, throw a ball and play fetch with your dog, or just play with it to keep its mind sharp. 

If you are new to owning a dog, there are things to know about taking care of it properly to ensure it has a long and healthy life. Talk to a veterinarian to learn more dog care tips.